Younger Season 5 Episode 9 Review: Honk if You're Horny
Lizzy Buczak
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Keeping your office relationship a secret is no easy feat.
Liza and Charles are falling harder and harder for each other on Younger Season 5 Episode 9, but with so much on the line, they aren't able to make their relationship public just yet.
Based on their most recent encounter, it seems they should avoid going out in public completely because they keep running into people they know and are not smooth in covering it up as witnessed by Redmond.
It was so obvious that they were on a date, but still, they could have used virtually every other excuse as to why they were in such a romantic setting together.
Instead, Liza running out like that and handing him the book to read in such a dim spot proved they were up to something shady.
Funny enough, Redmond still didn't figure it out.
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While it must be the worst feeling in the world to have to fake not having feelings in public, I am not opposed to seeing them spend more time in the apartment.
Back at home, they seemed very comfortable with each other, almost as if they were an established couple living together for years.
You have the "it" factor. That's why I wanted to meet with you. What Grace Coddington was to Vogue, Diana Trout could be to Empirical.
Lauren
Liza was hanging out at his house, reading, and waiting for him to whip up some dinner. It was nothing out of the ordinary.
In fact, they may not be equals in the workplace, but here, it felt like they were equal in all ways.
I could see them becoming a publishing power couple -- the Beyonce and Jay-Z of publishing if you will.
That is once they can "out" themselves to the world without the truth ruining friendships, the company, and their relationships with the company.
There was an unwanted, brief mention of Pauline and apparently, she is willing to give him a divorce.
Knowing her, it's only a matter of time before things get messy and personal.
Liza and Charles have all the reason to keep their relationship a secret because as Kelsey showed us, even those they trust the most would take advantage at the most opportune time.
If Kelsey stooped that low after finding out, what do you think everyone else would do?
Kelsey is lucky she redeemed herself by the end of the episode because at first, I was very disappointed with how she was handling it and judging Liza for having a relationship that's been brewing for some time.
I could understand her being upset that Liza withheld another secret from her because they are supposed to be best friends, but Kelsey took it personally and thought Liza was trying to undermine her and be her competitor?
Did she seriously believe that Liza would ever want to take over running Millennial ... especially when she's not a millennial?
No, that's not the reason she's sleeping with the boss.
Liza: She's in a good mood.
Kelsey: Yeah, she's getting laid by a professional.
And also, up until the final moments of the episode, Kelsey didn't think of Liza as her equal. It's not just Kelsey running Millennial; Liza's a significant part of the success.
As Liza said, she's still lying about her age because she's protecting the brand; she's doing it for them.
In fact, it's funny how many people have been roped into Liza's lie. They were all mad at her initially, but now, they are helping her keep that lie up.
And I don't know what was more upsetting -- Kelsey thinking that Liza was capable of doing anything intentionally to sabotage her or dangling that relationship in Charles' face when she couldn't get the money for Quinn's book.
Enzo: Have you ever done anything stupid?
Diana: I married a gay man.
Considering all the things Liza has done for Kelsey and to protect Kelsey, this was just a low blow on her part.
At no point did Charles ever show favoritism to Liza in the workplace despite their personal relationship. Sexting in the office and throwing bedroom eyes doesn't count as favoritism either.
Seeing Liza tell Kelsey that she was torn because she loved two people at the same time was heartwrenching.
Um, wait, did she say she loved Charles?! That moment definitely shouldn't have been glossed over.
It was also very big of her to say she'd choose Kelsey over Charles if it ever came down to it.
At its core, this show is about a woman who has been trying to navigate life in her 40s while leaning on her friends for support. It's about the friendships more than relationships or which guy she picks at the end.
Kelsey has been her rock, her ride or die, her biggest supporter since the beginning. So yes, while she would love to pursue a relationship with Charles, she won't sabotage the friendship for a man.
After her divorce, Liza learned that men come and go, but friends, good friends like Maggie and Kelsey, stay forever.
And before there was a Charles, there was a Kelsey.
A maverick is an independent person who blazes their own path. There are women who got to where they are without needing help, and I admire them, but I am not one of them. I am very lucky to not be running Millennial on my own, I have an amazing partner who should be up here with me. A partnership like ours is rare, and sometimes challenging, but we never stand in each other's way personally or professionally because we know that we are better together.
Kelsey
That moment established their bond and dedication to each other, and though Quinn's book is about being independent and pushing for your success, much like these ladies, I don't believe you get nearly as far without your tribe helping, guiding, and celebrating you.
Kelsey also should know better than to wave the "I know who you are sleeping with" card in front of her boss because he can wave it right back at her when he finds out why Jake's book has become a disaster.
Not only is she sleeping with Jake, but she's also sleeping with Zane and sabotaging all types of professional relationships.
Not that Charles would ever do that because it's none of his business, but still, don't judge if you are out there involved in a mess yourself.
Also, this made me wonder -- have any of Kelsey's books been successful? Drop me a comment if you know the answer to this because it seems like there are only ever complications with her getting personally involved with the authors.
I'm glad Charles put her in her place in an affirmative, but non-threatening manner. Kelsey has a tendency to get out of line when she feels like someone isn't taking her seriously, but in this situation, it had nothing to do with her.
And though Charles may be with Liza and eventually, Kelsey's friend, in the workplace, he is first and foremost her boss and needs to be respected.
Many fans have expressed their desire for Josh and Kelsey to pick up on whatever they first started back in Younger Season 4 Episode 7.
Diana: That must have been good.
Enzo: It as.
Diana: I can always tell.
Enzo: Yeah?
Diana: Mhm. You make this little honk. Actually, it's not little, it's pretty big but don't worry, these pre-war buildings have very thick walls.
While I'm not a Josh and Kelsey advocate, I did notice that they were a little too comfortable with each other while she was celebrating her Maverick nomination.
Josh had his arm around her, and they were all buddy-buddy. Could that be the actor's natural chemistry with each other over anything the writers and directors wanted to convey?
Liza is over Josh and pretty chill about everything, but I don't know if she would necessarily support Kelsey dating her ex.
I certainly want Kelsey to figure things out with Zane.
Let's not dwell too much on relationships though because Younger Season 5 Episode 9 was fun and focused predominately on female empowerment and friendships.
Lauren, the diva, spent a lot of time bringing all the laughs.
She may not be an experienced publicist, but she's damn good at selling herself and talking up people.
Do you want to get something done? She'll handle it with spunk and fervor.
Also, if Lauren is that good at getting something off the internet forever, wouldn't she figure out Liza's real age by now?
Honestly, where would any of us be without Lauren? I cannot wait to see more interactions between her and her new diva client, Diana.
When Lauren initially recognized Enzo in the promos, I knew in my heart that it had to do with porn. I just wasn't sure if it would be that he once was a pornstar or that he is currently.
I'm glad it's the former.
Of course, Diana would be dating a former professional. Of course, she would.
And of course, she would identify him on video by his signature sign of excitement -- the honk -- which to me sounded more like Chewbacca groaning.
That would scare me in bed, but who am I to judge?
I expected Diana to be put off by Enzo's past and shun him for it because she's a woman of a certain class and caliber, but I am so glad she didn't.
I like Enzo, and I think he's perfect for her; he brings her down to Earth and makes her more aware of the world outside of hers.
What did you love, and what did you hate?
Make sure you watch Younger online, so you're all caught up with the episodes.
Lizzy Buczak was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. She retired in June 2021..
